Four Star Homes Blog

If you're looking for a great social life after retirement, look no further than a 55+ manufactured home community in Central Florida! Many have year-round events and special holiday celebrations to give residents the opportunity to have fun and mingle.
The Lakes at Leesburg is no exception. In addition to their much-anticipated annual golf cart Christmas parade, their entertainment committee throws events for nearly every holiday.
This year for Halloween they hosted a Vampires Ball, complete with a DJ, snacks and appetizers, spooky decor, and a costume contest.
Pam O'Grady, Lakes of Leesburg board member and resident, filled us in on the festivities. (She's also a Four Star Homes sales agent!) Four Star Homes: How long has the Lakes at Leesburg Halloween party been running?
Pam O'Grady: The Entertainment Committee put on the first Halloween party in 2016 after many years of hiatus. It started with ...
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As Florida's largest and most experienced full-service mobile and manufactured home brokerage company, we wouldn't be where we are today without our incredible agents!
Many of our agents live in the manufactured home communities they work in, which makes them experts on the lifestyle.
We also believe in making personal connections with our clients. Whether someone is selling their mobile home or looking to buy a manufactured home in Central Florida, our agents will take the time to answer any questions and make the process as smooth as possible.
Many of our agents love working with Four Star Homes because it builds a sense of community. They also enjoy flexible schedules, with the ability to work as much or as little as they choose. In fact, many of our agents join us after retirement!
Colleen Kramer
Colleen is both a mobile home sales agent and ...
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(Article from Blue National HVAC)
Heating and cooling a mobile or manufactured home can be challenging. The space is smaller than traditional homes, so it’s easier to heat and cool, but there’s no attic or basement to house HVAC equipment, there’s less space for ductwork, and no homeowner wants a furnace or bulky AC unit taking up room in their mobile home.
Luckily, there are several HVAC options that make conditioning the air in your mobile home possible and practical, and some can even reduce your running and maintenance costs.
Ductless Mini-split
One of the most popular HVAC systems for manufactured homes is the ductless mini-split. These systems include a small condenser outside and a wall-mounted unit or ceiling-mounted vent inside. They take up almost no living space and are usually very energy efficient, so they’re an excellent option for smaller mobile homes.
Ductless mini-splits ...
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(Written by Susan Doktor, Money.com)
How long have you been looking forward to your retirement?
You know what we’re talking about. Saying sayonara to your morning commute and hello to a relaxing cup of coffee—or two—on your porch. Bidding contentious coworkers a final farewell. Deleting weekly staff meetings from your calendar permanently and scheduling things that really matter to you. No doubt you’ve been painting your own picture-perfect vision of what life will be like when you stop working for some years. But how long have you been preparing financially to make your dream come true?
If you aren’t entirely confident that you’re in the best position to retire, you’re not alone.
Nearly a quarter of all workers in the US have no retirement savings whatsoever. And 72% of Americans feel they haven’t saved enough to retire comfortably. That’s why many retirees look closely at their ...
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(Written by Michael Longsdon of ElderFreedom.net)
According to researchers who examine the lives of older individuals, a third of those age 65 and over change residences.
Moving is challenging under the best of circumstances, but the task becomes even more stressful when it happens during one's golden years. The job can be made easier by selecting services that specifically target your demographic. Here are a few that are designed to assist your transition, making the experience as smooth and carefree as possible.
Real Estate
Your journey begins with finding the right place to live.
If you’re of the mind that downsizing is key, and if you want to live in an area located near amenities like golf, the water, or shopping, a manufactured home in a designated retirement community can be a great choice.
House hunting can be intimidating for anyone. High-pressure sales situations ...
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(Originally published on MHVillage.com)
An eco-friendly, energy-efficient home is an appealing option for many homeowners today. ENERGY STAR® Certified manufactured homes are one great option for a home that’s easier on the planet and saves money on utilities. But for those who want to take things a step further, solar panels can be a great investment for powering your manufactured home sustainably.
In this article, we’ll answer several frequently asked questions about solar panels for mobile homes. You’ll find key information here about the cost of solar panels, solar panel installation, and much more.
Can you install rooftop solar panels on a manufactured home?
Not usually. PV panels are heavy and have specific structural requirements. In addition, rooftop solar panels for mobile homes may not be legal in every jurisdiction, and every mobile home park.
What kinds of solar panels are appropriate for a manufactured ...
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(Written with permission by Russell S. Watson of Florida Manufactured Home Living - See the video here!)
Hundreds of thousands of people live in manufactured home resort parks in Florida, yet few know the history that resulted in their creation.
Early History
The first large-scale production mobile home was the Conestoga wagon. It was constructed from wood, and the wheels were iron rim for greater durability. The wagon was about 18 feet long, 11 feet high, and four feet in width. It was the first mobile home used on a large scale. Everything you needed for the trip had to fit in that wagon. One could also argue these were the first RVs or mobile homes.
Prior to the widespread ownership of the automobile, most visitors coming to Florida did so by rail or boat. Towns and cities grew up along the coast, and later, along ...
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(Originally published on MHVillage.com)
Most manufactured homeowners protect their property through common-sense methods like security systems, fire alarms, and preventive tree maintenance. However, there’s another tool for home protection that not every homeowner has: home warranties.
A home warranty helps homeowners avoid being blindsided by repair and maintenance costs. It’s an extremely useful tool for creating financial stability for almost any homeowner. But can you get a home warranty for a mobile home?
Fortunately, the answer is yes—you can get a home warranty on many types of manufactured homes. In this article, we’ll discuss the key facts about home warranties for manufactured homes, including what they cover, what they don’t cover, and how much homeowners can expect to pay.
What Is a Manufactured Home Warranty?
A manufactured home warranty is similar in many ways to a warranty on an automobile. If the homeowner needs certain ...
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When looking for a mobile home or manufactured home for sale, it can be somewhat confusing. The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are important differences.
What are mobile homes and manufactured homes?
Both mobile homes and manufactured homes were both built off-site in a warehouse. These prefabricated homes were then transported to the location where they’re set and permanently affixed to the ground. They are often placed in mobile home communities next to other mobile homes.
These mobile and manufactured home communities are a far cry from the outdated term "trailer parks", as they are more commonly well-kept with beautiful grounds and offer loads of resort-style amenities.
Manufactured and mobile homes are often much more affordable than traditional houses, referred to as site-built homes. Site-built homes are built on-site, hence the name, and construction can be expensive and experience delays due to weather.
...
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Bob Silverman, LawnStarter
Never forget the three Ls when buying a new mobile home: location, landscaping, and low maintenance.
Living in Florida, we have the location handled. Landscaping your mobile home with low-maintenance plants and hardscaping means you’ll spend less time working on your yard and more time enjoying it.
Mobile and manufactured home communities provide simple living for singles, couples, families, and those looking to retire in Florida. The amenities are endless: swimming pools, clubhouses, golf courses, and just about everything else nearby to keep you busy.
And since many mobile home communities include grass-cutting services in your monthly lot rent, you can spend more time giving your home some character with low-maintenance landscaping.
We’ve rounded up several tips for landscaping and hardscaping to give your manufactured home some personal and colorful touches.
Flower Beds
Plant a few flowers and shrubs around ...
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